What are your best suggestions for saving money on food while at Disney?

[mommiepoppins]

Last year, we did a late breakfast at Crystal Palace (character) and just as we were finishing a rather relaxed meal and the characters were making their second round to our table, the lunch buffet was being put out. I, ofcourse, carry ziplocs in our backpack and I grabbed a few PB&J sandwiches and some grapes from the lunch bar, went back to the table and put them a couple ziplocs and put them in our backpack for later. Around 3 when the LARGE breakfast was wearing off, we found a nice shaded spot to eat our "snack" and late that night we ordered a pizza for all of us on our way back to our room. The lunch buffet at CP has lots of quick and easy stuff that is easy to carry.

NO FLAMES.................................................

good thinking

 

[mickerbaby]

Last year, we did a late breakfast at Crystal Palace (character) and just as we were finishing a rather relaxed meal and the characters were making their second round to our table, the lunch buffet was being put out. I, ofcourse, carry ziplocs in our backpack and I grabbed a few PB&J sandwiches and some grapes from the lunch bar, went back to the table and put them a couple ziplocs and put them in our backpack for later. Around 3 when the LARGE breakfast was wearing off, we found a nice shaded spot to eat our "snack" and late that night we ordered a pizza for all of us on our way back to our room. The lunch buffet at CP has lots of quick and easy stuff that is easy to carry.

NO FLAMES.................................................

I don't think what you did is worthy of flames, you were just being a resourceful mom!!

 

[goodeats]

You aren't supposed to take food to-go from a buffet. It's pretty tacky!

 

[deekaypee]

I don't know how strict your budget is, or the age of your children, but here are my suggestions:

Breakfast
-Keep up with breakfast in the room. My DH and I find it much more relaxing, and it saves us time. Kids can be sold on in-room breakfasts as a time-saver and many of them enjoy the extra time in bed, anyway (big kids like it, too).

Beverages
-Cut down on the bought beverages. No adult beverages for you, no need to buy sodas or water. If you really dislike the tap water--I do--ask for a cup with water & ice at CS. It's free and you can fill your water bottles throughout the day. If you have to have the beverages, then share them. Most of us are drinking way too much soda anyway. (I'm guilty, guilty, guilty!)

Snacks
-If you can, cut out on the snacks. They're sooo expensive and unhealthy. [DH and I bought ice-cream sandwiches on our most recent trip to DLR out of nostalgia. 2 were $7.00...and huge...more than we needed.]
----Instead, bring in snacks: raisins, granola bars, peanut butter and crackers. I don't know your kids, but I think if you establish the snacks as special things you've chosen just for them--or have them help you pick snacks before you go to the park (or even in packing)--then you help establish their expectations. If you behave like snacks are a must, then that will translate to snacks being a must. (I know, I know, kids get that message without their parents' help too...)
---You might be able to find food containers with their favorite characters, Disney or otherwise, that become their special snack box. Then pack your homemade trail mix or whatnot in them.
---If you must have snacks, share them. I don't know how many are in your family, but you could easily split many snacks in half and have a tasty treat.
---And limit the number of snacks allotted. The first time I went to Disney I convinced myself I needed a midmorning, afternoon, and evening snack, plus a dessert with supper. What was I thinking? I convinced myself that I was walking so much that I needed the snacks. This most recent, 5-day visit? We had three snacks, two of which we shared (after the ice-cream mistake). I know it's a hard sell, but maybe to get everybody on board you could print up snack coupons for Disney snacks (again, depending on your children's age). Once someone has used their snack coupon, that's it. It might encourage them to share snacks, too.

Portables
--Protein always works to stave off my hunger. Peanut butter sandwiches transport well, or peanut butter & crackers or peanut butter and celery, and Jif is now selling single-serving sizes. They're more expensive than jars of peanut butter but are very portable and cheaper than park food.

Dining In & Out of the World
-In terms of TS & CS meals, go offsite and look for more "bang-for-your buck." Other posters have talked about this. But commit to one or two dinners outside the park; it's a hassle, but can be a big savings.
---Character dining: You mentioned going to a "few" character meals. Wow. That seems to me to be a good place to cut your expenses. DH and I went to a character breakfast during this most recent trip--for the two of us it was over $50. I can't imagine what it is for a family. They fill you up, but I find I can't eat enough at one sitting to keep me sated for the rest of the day. If you normally do three, try to cut down to two or even one.
---I also agree that if you're going to do a character meal, make it a late breakfast/brunch/early lunch. Not only are they cheaper, but you might be able to eliminate the snacks more easily.

Overeating
-Finally, I agree with disneysteve. Portion sizes at many of the Disney places, and at restaurants in general, are big enough to share.

 

[Laurajean1014]

You can purchase the extra bun in disney we have done it several times its like .80 then I buy a double cheeseburger and I end up with 1 hamburger and 1 cheeseburger kids love it. When we bring sandwichs I use my backpack cooler and rent a locker for the day so we don't have to carry it around last time was like $8 for the day and at lunch time we have a picnic

If you are spending $8.80 on a bun and a locker, why not just get a hot dog or burger for the same price? Or eat just before entering the park if spending any money is not do-able.

 

[Laurajean1014]

Last year, we did a late breakfast at Crystal Palace (character) and just as we were finishing a rather relaxed meal and the characters were making their second round to our table, the lunch buffet was being put out. I, ofcourse, carry ziplocs in our backpack and I grabbed a few PB&J sandwiches and some grapes from the lunch bar, went back to the table and put them a couple ziplocs and put them in our backpack for later. Around 3 when the LARGE breakfast was wearing off, we found a nice shaded spot to eat our "snack" and late that night we ordered a pizza for all of us on our way back to our room. The lunch buffet at CP has lots of quick and easy stuff that is easy to carry.

NO FLAMES.................................................

I'm biting my lip........ sorry, couldn't help myself

 

[Meezers]

Do people really do that with the extra bun thing? I have always wondered....

 

[disneysteve]

If you are spending $8.80 on a bun and a locker, why not just get a hot dog or burger for the same price? Or eat just before entering the park if spending any money is not do-able.

I think that was two separate thoughts. The locker was for when they bring in sandwiches, so $8 instead of buying lunch for everyone.

 

[TENIA66]

There really cheap fresh fruit at the liberty square area fruit stand around the haunted mansion, i got grapes for less than a buck, apples, bananas, pineapple slices, oranges for 1.50 or less....refillable popcorn too...the bucket was 5 or 6 bucks then 1 or 2 to refill........we carry dried fruit, pineapple and bananas from dollar tree for in between stuff....we refill water bottles......but i must have my diet coke with ice or someone must die!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[TENIA66]

You cannot buy bacon at Disney by the piece, nor can you buy an extra bun.


Why not wait for extreme sales near you for non-perishable stuff (peanut butter, jam, cereals, snacks, power bars, etc.) and then pack it with you? The added space you have when you leave gives you room for your souvies.

I think bringing food into the park is hard. It smooshes, gets hot, wet and is bulky (before and after). You can get fresh fruit and bring power bars with you! Then later, have a good size dinner. Don't forget that is a very inexpensive way to fill up. Maybe eat in your room and then grab a coffee in the parks to keep you going.

I would recommend bringing your own water. I love Disney, but water is not inexpensive at WDW.

Good luck with your budget.

you can buy side orders of bacon, and you can buy dinner rolls and slices of bread on the sides at some the service resturants.....

 

[OceanAnnie]

I didn't see this mentioned, but I really like the lemonade & kool-Aid sticks. I got some off name brand at Wal-Mart. Just tear open the little sleeve of mix, add to bottled water (or cup of water) and you're good to go! I like water fine. But sometimes you just gotta have something with some flavor!

I too think portion sizes are extreme. And the Fla. heat zaps our appetites. We usually share a meal and a dessert. That's the only way we'd eat a dessert. In the past, we'd be too full to even think about a dessert if we each ate a full adult serving. Sometimes we get a kids meal. And sometimes we'll get some appetizers and share them for a light fun meal.